Background. The patellar tendon is often used as ACL graft. Identifying of factors that improve donor site healing may improve the outcomes.Aim. Study changes in the patellar tendon after two variants of graft harvest techniques and determine what features contribute to better donor site healing.Methods. The morphology of the patellar tendon was studied after two variants of graft harvest techniques with early rehab protocol. The retrospective group included 30 patients with no patellar tendon and bone defects closure. The prospective group included 30 patients with full-layer patellar tendon suture and bone defects closure. The Insall-Salvati ratio after surgery was measured on an X-ray in both groups. MRI study before surgery and 12 months after and CT 1 day and 6 months after surgery was performed in prospective group. The sizes of patellar tendon and conditions of bone defects were studied. Results. Patella position was physiological and did not differ between the groups (1.11 ± 0.13 - in group 1 and 1.12 ± 0.15 - in group 2, p = 0.955). In the prospective group after 12 months the patellar tendon length was shorter by 3.1% (-1.4 ± 2.4 mm, p = 0.003); the ligament width in the upper and middle thirds slightly increased (0.3±2.4 mm, p=0.502 and 0.5±2.1, p=0.205), and in the lower third it was 2.7% greater (0.7±1.7 mm, p=0.034); the ligament thickness increased by 55% (2.4±1.6 mm, p=0.001). All patients in group 1 had persistent bone and tendon defects. In group 2 the bone defects healed 6 months after, the ligament restored its shape and size, approaching the preoperative values 12 months after the surgery.Conclusions. Full-layer suture of the patellar tendon, autoplasty of bone defects and early mobilization ensure healing of bone defects and restoration of the integrity, shape and size of the ligament.
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